"Being a magistrate gives me the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families,'' Walker said.

Walker will oversee court cases including dependency and neglect, contempt, delinquency, custody and visitation. Among those in the crowded courtroom witnessing Walker's swearing-in ceremony was Walker's aunt and uncle, Janet and S. Shepherd Tate, a longtime Memphis attorney and former president of the American Bar Association.

Before becoming a magistrate, Walker, who spent 20 years in a private legal practice, served as Juvenile Court's first advocate for noncustodial parents. Person created the position shortly after he was elected and took office as Juvenile Court's administrative judge in September 2006. The position offers free legal advice for litigants -- mostly noncustodial parents -- with various Juvenile Court-related matters, including child-support issues and requests for re-hearings or default judgments.

"When I was on the campaign trail for Juvenile Court judge, many people, mostly fathers, complained that they didn't know what to do or say when they had to appear in Juvenile Court. Many of them said they couldn't even afford a lawyer,'' Person said. "Creating the position of advocate for noncustodial parents helped to fix that problem.''

During Walker's swearing-in ceremony at Juvenile Court, Person praised Walker for his prior service as Tennessee's only advocate for noncustodial parents. "His exemplary efforts have been recognized locally and statewide,'' Person said.

"The director of the Administrative Office of the Courts in Nashville informed me that the Tennessee Supreme Court had assessed the importance of David's work and, as soon as funds are available, they want to replicate his former position as an advocate for noncustodial parents in other courts throughout the state.''